Fans Forum AGM – Tollgate Hotel
February 18th 2009
Attendees
Bryan Shaw, Tony Tams, Gareth Ekin, Mike Twist, Darren Smallwood, Malcolm Clarke,
Paul Griffiths (observing)
Apologies
Terry Hughes, Paul Barker, Shaun Fynn, Lawrence King
1. Approval of minutes from previous AGM
Deferred
2. Chairmans Report
First of all I have to apologise for my absence this evening.
What an eighteen months we’ve witnessed as Stoke supporters!
Into the Premier League without the trials and potential heartbreak of the
play-offs!
The anticipation of entering into the top echelon of English football and all
that entails has seen many changes at the Club, some of which had been on
numerous meeting agenda’s between the Fans Forum and the Club and it’s very
pleasing that the changes have also coincided with that triumphant promotion.
The purchase of the stadium by the Club also became a land mark achievement.
The Forum actually played their part in the transition from a Championship side
to a fledgling Premier Club.
Our role in the crucial negotiations concerning the price of season tickets saw
a monumental leap forward in the amount of season ticket sales that were
achieved and it’s all credit to the Club for taking on board our opinions and
suggestions.
Following season after season of negotiation with the Club, we finally witnessed
the abolishing of the Away Card scheme, which right from it’s inception proved
to be one the most contentious and emotional division that our supporter base
have ever experienced. The success of the withdrawal of the scheme is both
testimony and credit to all our away supporters.
Another success of the Forum was the negotiation of the criteria for the away
ticket allocations at the beginning of the season and what could have been a
potential ‘banana skin’ proved to be a success with our away supporters and
allayed many fears that supporters would miss out on ticket purchases.
The unveiling of the John Ritchie tribute statue was also greeted with the
announcement of the creation of a ‘ Legends Walk’ pedestrian underground tunnel
to be constructed between the Boothen end access path and the Harvester Inn to
alleviate traffic and pedestrian congestion. We hope to see the completion of
the tunnel towards the end of this year.
One issue that is still giving cause for concern and that’s the ‘No Smoking’
ban, hopefully during the next few weeks discussions with the Club will be able
to try and determine a successful solution to the problem.
Another great big plus for the Forum is the launch of it’s bespoke website,
thanks to our new member Gareth for all his hard work in getting the site up and
running and hopefully with the assistance of the Club we can over the next few
months promote the website so that it becomes a prominent link with the Stoke
Supporters and the Forum.
Finally, I have to say that once again it’s been a disappointing time in trying
to recruit volunteers onto the Forum, although I think that now the Club is in
the Premier League, a concerted and combined effort from members of the Forum
and a genuine attempt by the Club to work with us and help us to promote the
Forum would be a successful exercise to undertake and should become a priority
over the next two or three months.
I think the Forum does have a future, but certainly not in its present form and
it would be interesting if Malcolm could furnish us with more details or contact
numbers of the two Fans Forums that he mentions in his email. Or indeed details
of any more Fans Forum’s.
Thanks for everyone’s support over these last eighteen months, I really do
appreciate it.
3. Treasurers Report
There have been no transactions, either deposits
or withdrawals, since the last AGM; hence the balance remains at £260. I (Shaun
Fynn) along with Terry Hughes and Lawrence King, remain the current signatories
for the Forums bank account.
4. Election of Officers
Chairman – Gareth Ekin
proposed Tony Tams, seconded – Mike Twist
Vice Chairman – Terry Hughes
proposed Mike Twist, seconded Tony Tams
Treasurer – Bryan Shaw
proposed Tony Tams, seconded Gareth Ekin
Interim Secretary - Malcolm Clarke
proposed Gareth Ekin, seconded Tony Tams
5. Outstanding Business.
Darren Smallwood was elected to the committee.
There was wide discussion on how the FF should progress. Numerous initiatives
were discussed and a further and specific FF will be called to clarify these.
The new Chairman – Gareth Ekin – will – with the new Vice Chairman – Terry
Hughes – put together proposals for discussion and action.
6. Date of Next AGM
17th February 2010
